Choices and Challenges

Quote of the day:“If we write our dreams and goals down, we dramatically increase our odds of realization. If we share them with others, they become potent and alive”. Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers blog

The first 2 weeks in 2012 proved to be quite hectic to my surprise. Thought I was gonna ease into the year, but with schools starting this week following my training plan became real challenge.

I had a good week last week. Actually did OK with Kudus…1:56. Wanted to come in at least at 1:48, but those hills got the better of me.

Nedbank Running Club!!!

My highlight of the week was joining the Nedbank running club. So excited. Even met Bruce Fordyce! Watch out for runner 13808 on TV!…when I do Comrades 2012 :-).

WITS Kudus 15km

Only drawback is now I have to run every race in Nedbank club clothers. I tried on the tights…plain lycra! The vest does not seem too bad, but I could feel some scuffing waiting to happening at the back of my arm. Also after the Kudus race I was soaking wet, now I know, why people change after races into those big club T shirts. You will catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes after the race. No high tech design, climacool, no dry fit that “wick mositure away”. I admit when it comes to clothes and comfort I am a bit of snob! I love the technical training gear of the Nikes, Adidas of the world (you just don’t seem to get feel those on you, by the time you get to the finish line you still cool and dry). For me there is no such thing as running or even training in a good old cotton T :-). I suppose I am now part of a team, need to adjust…the playing field has been levelled, now I have to focus on RUNNING…:-)

Dischem Half

This weeks training was just bad, only manage to do easy 5km. Today, I will do 10km and then their is the Dischem Half…still not sure of whether I should do it or not. This whole week I was so tired. Recovery really seems to be SLOW, got some recovery drinks yesterday for after my races, hopefully that will help to speed up recovery. Everyone is saying that Dischem is tough, looked at the profile..2nd half is just hills, they say 8km of climbing…not sure if I really want to put my body through that so close to my goal race. I suppose I could take it easy and just see it as a very difficult long run and just make sure that I make cut-off….

I will use the Dischem race as a dress rehearsal, as I will not be going for any time goals…I think my goal for the Dischem race should be to practice fueling and hydration. Apparently I’m am not fueling enough. I hate GU! Can’t get it down without lots of water…but this is the carbs my body needs to get me through 5-7hrs of running. If I look back onto my city2city race, it is clear that I did not fuel enough. I had 2 sachets of gel, for a 50km race! Ya, some things you only learn by doing. I have become much cleverer now, started to educate my myself :-). For my marathon apparently I will need about 6-7 sachets of gel…which means I will have to run with a running belt and this time round I will take my salt tablets and pain killers…

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About Moerieda Mackay

Late to running and absolutely loving it! I'm married to my soulmate, Adam and blessed with 3 beautiful children. I am a Business Transformation and Innovation Professional and holds a MSc (Eng) in Industrial Engineering. Yip, a bit of a workaholic. I became addicted to ultra running whilst searching for that elusive “work-life” balance at the age of...40! I have no sporting background and with zero athletic ability running is by far the most challenging thing I've taken on but it has put me on a path of self discovery and serious transformation both physically, mentally and spiritually...and I love it!